SPIRAL DESIGN #1: Whirlpool

I am looking forward in doing some mosaic of wood. I was amazed by the capability of sketchup in trying to design those combinations. I know I am motivated by those who created designs for boxes, lazy susan, table tops and many others… To mention some.. Larry (Degoose), Spalm, Martyn (Britboxmaker), Gary K., etc. I posted this series for those who are interested in constructing it.

I wish you luck, that will look really good when its complete but man does that look complicated. How many pieces is that? How are you going to tackle those cuts? At first I thought it was a real spiral, which would be tricky as hell since all the pieces would be different thicknesses, but now I see its just an illusion of a spiral. This will definitely be a cool piece when its finished. I look forward to updates on it.

So here’s a question for you (and Martyn, and Larry if you guys are still watching) – since each piece in this design is oriented in a different direction, it means that it will expand/shrink separately then it’s mating pieces.

the question – won’t this type of design create many glue lines failures and gaps in the long run?

just curious, as I had designs that broke the straight lines formality but I didn’t know if they would survive the test of time.

Sharon, expansion failures could be minimised by making the pattern end grain aligning growth rings with the concentric circles of the pattern (as on the original tree the wood came from). Though how Bert is going to cut the pieces will be interesting.

HOW?i will actually be using a baseboard (plywood) to hold radial sector (6 of same combination) and 6 different combination. Cut this sectors to be exact on 10 degrees. Form a circle (36 sectors) by gluing it to a final baseboard.

Purplev, I was already proactive on the difficulty of warping and glue effect on shrinkage and expanding. I am now looking for exotic wood that are really not expanding much.. probably.. NARRA (Orange), IPIL (Red), MOLAVE (Yellow), MAHOGANY (Pinkish), KAMAGONG (Black), Alternate choice MANGO (White). I need wood that are stable.. and of course available at my shop now.. These are all reclaimed wood. With the glue problem…. I have to use different glue…. edge to edge – I will be using my hard EVOSTIK., for the baseboard.. I will use rubber glue for flexibility… Here in the Philippines a brand name RUGBY is commonly used for veneering.. NO PROBLEM at all even with water…

Thanks everyone, truly if I will be able to realize this in flesh…. I have made my OBRA MAESTRA to just be placed in my dining table….

This is an intriguing design and on studying it, its acheivable but I will not steal Bert’s thunder. I don’t do things that way. Even if there is an open invitation from Bert, it is his design and its only polite to let him have first crack at it.

Guys, If you really what to challenge yourself in doing it, up to you. the design is in sketchup and I am willing to give it away. I have 3 spiral design finished. What is important to make the proper curve is the concentric circle template. The increasing diameter is based on the length of each side of the sector.. Here is the template.

Here is another variation.. but still on the line

If you want a sketchup… PM me and just I will attached the sketchup file.

THANKS, key… the challenge must be from your heart… others inspire but yourself perspire.